Entry Level Offshore Jobs

From Dirt Roads to Deepwater: How I Broke In

I wasn't born with an offshore job in my back pocket. I was just another broke welder chasing a better life-burnt out on dead-end jobs and damn tired of scraping by.

I'd heard about offshore work, those big checks, the time off, the adventures. Hell, everyone talked about it like it was the golden opportunity of life. But when I tried to get my hands on solid information-anything that would help me break in-I hit one dead end after another. No roadmap, no first call, no crew-change plan, nothing.

I'm not complaining-welding paid fair enough-but it wasn't offshore money, not by a long shot. And I was tired of staying stuck in dead end construction jobs.

Then someone told me Venice, Louisiana was the place to go. Said if I waited around the helipads, I might catch a break. So I packed up and made the haul, parked my truck, and waited. Nothing. Guys were flying in and out, but none of them had time to help a rookie.

Right when I was about to leave, an old timer in coveralls eyeballed me and said, "You lookin' to go offshore?" He told me flat out, "No one hires down here. Get the Yellow Pages from Houston, Lafayette, and New Orleans-start callin' the drilling companies."

That wasn't what I wanted to hear. But I did what the old timer said to do.

I called every damn number I could find. Over and over, I got the same thing: "Do you have any previous offshore experience?" "No." Click.

That's the offshore catch-22 squirrel cage you've probably found yourself in: You need experience to get hired, but you can't get experience unless someone hires you.

Then came the bar. The beer. And a chance run-in with a crane op named T-Bone Boudreaux-a crusty Cajun hand with thick skin, thicker accent, and a hell of a heart. He gave me a number, told me to call Monday, and say he sent me.
That call changed my life.
What followed was a rush to get shots, passport and visa and then a welding job in Brazil, a career offshore, and eventually this book. I wrote it because I was you-hungry, overlooked, and clueless where to start.

When you grab a copy of Your Pathway to High Paying Offshore Jobs, you'll get the full story of how one backwoods crane op named T-Bone Boudreaux handed me a lifeline-and lit the fuse on everything that came next.

Your Pathway isn't hype. It's the blueprint I wish I had back when I was looking for offshore work, but kept running into dead ends.

If you're serious about getting offshore, don't just dream it. Do something about it.

Want to Work Offshore with No Experience? Here's the Real Deal

You fly in by chopper. Work two weeks on, two weeks off. Earn up to $50K-$65K+ a year starting out-and only work half the year.

Meals, housing, and laundry? Covered. Gyms, lounges, internet? All included on the more modern rigs.

You don't need a degree. You don't need union backing. You need a TWIC card, a tough mindset, and the right game plan.

Entry-Level Jobs That Get You In

Roustabout - Deck crew. Hard labor. Lifting, painting, greasing, loading pipe.
Day Rate: $175-$275
Annual Pay (based on 6 months offshore): $40,000-$65,000+

Utility Hand - The lowest on the ladder. Cleans, assists, follows orders.
Day Rate: $150-$225
Annual Pay: $35,000-$55,000

Galley Hand - Kitchen assistant. Cleans, stocks, helps the cook.
Day Rate: $150-$200
Annual Pay: $35,000-$50,000

Welder's Helper - Supports rig welders. Grinds, preps, lifts.
Day Rate: $175-$225
Annual Pay: $40,000-$55,000

Deckhand - Maritime vessel crew. Lines, ropes, anchor ops.
Day Rate: $175-$250
Annual Pay: $40,000-$60,000

❌ Top Offshore Myths That Keep People Stuck

Myth #1: You gotta know somebody.
Truth: Connections help, but plenty get hired cold.

Myth #2: You need experience first.
Truth: Entry-level exists for a reason. On average, there are 100 posts every week for GOM entry-level jobs that require no previous offshore experience. Someone's gonna get hired, why not you?

Myth #3: You need expensive training.
Truth: Sure, some certs pay off-like BOSIET or a basic dive course under $1,000. But $10K academies? That's Scam City. There are real cases of private schools misusing federal funding or fraudsters selling phony offshore certificates or job offers to desperate job hunters.

If someone tries to sell you mandated training or "exclusive job entry" with sky-high costs-walk away.

Myth #4: Offshore is dead.
Truth: It's booming-and hungry for dependable workers. "Drill-Baby-Drill" ain't just a slogan anymore-it's policy in motion.

Myth #5: It's too dangerous.
Truth: Modern safety is strict. Follow it, and you're good.

Entry-Level Job of the Week

Job Title: Roustabout - Gulf of Mexico
Pay: $225/day starting
Location: Offshore out of Fourchon, LA
Rotation: 14/14
Perks: Full benefits, room & board, gym, hot meals
Requirements: TWIC, offshore safety certs (HUET/Water Survival)
Note: No experience needed - company trains green hands.

"This one's gold for first-timers. Apply fast, these don't stay open long." - Cpt Ron

Bonus Spotlight

Job Title: Utility/Galley Hand - Offshore Services of Acadiana
Pay: $1,000 to $1,400/week
Requirements: TWIC + Safety Certifications
Location: Gulf of Mexico catering vessel
Schedule: 21/21 rotation
No experience required. Must pass background check and drug screen.

Here's What You Need to Do Right Now:

1. Get your TWIC: No TWIC = No access = No job
2. Get the book. Your Pathway walks you through every step.
3. Fix your résumé. If it doesn't scream "offshore-ready," it's more than likely going to be deleted.
4. Start applying. Like your future depends on it. Because it does.
   Bonus: Invest in Your Pathway TODAY and I'll throw in my Top Offshore Companies Hiring Now list - a hand-picked collection of trusted offshore and oilfield employers actively looking for new hires.

"If you can't sling a mop, you damn sure won't sling a chain." - T-Bone Boudreaux

Sign-On Bonuses Are Back

Some companies are paying $1,000-$1,500 bonuses for new roustabouts and deckhands. Yes, even with no experience.

Example: Keystone Clearwater Solutions recently posted a $1,500 sign-on bonus for entry-level hands.

Want the Inside Track on Jobs?

Many jobs never make it to public job boards. They get filled through:

• Internal referrals
• Walk-ins
• Direct company hiring boards
• Private recruiters

Chapter 7 of the book gives you all the strategies for digging these up-plus how to avoid the scammers.

Flat Broke But Still Got Fire?
I'll give you Your Pathway for free if you're dead serious about turning your life around. No guilt. No games. Just a sincere effort on your part.

"But listen close: If you're just gonna toss it on a shelf and cry about how life ain't fair-don't bother. This book ain't a handout. It's a wake-up call. So take it, read it, and start making some positive moves." - T-Bone Boudreaux

Bottom Line

Offshore ain't for the soft. But it will change your life. So what's it gonna be? Another week of "what if?" or the start of something real?

👉 Grab the book.
👉 Fix your résumé.
👉 Chase it like hell.

"I'm not a magician, and I damn sure ain't promising you a job, but I'll do what I can to help you." - Cpt Ron